My 20 mos old son rarely lets me brush his teeth. I give him tons of praise when he opens his mouth of 5 seconds to let me brush them but this is rare. I've tried just plain holding him down, begging and pleading, praise, yummy tasting toothpaste, brand new powered toothbrush that he picked out! I'm scared his teeth will fall out! We don't let him eat lots of sugary food but he does eat some. Well he grow out of this? Should I force him? Help!
2006-12-04 12:09:29 · 5 answers · asked by Falina T. Rayon 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
We have double sinks so we got a step stool for my 18 month old and he has always brushed his teeth when we do. We set out a small Pooh Dixie cup and he has his little tooth brush and paste ready...just like us. It has worked for us ever since he could walk.
2006-12-04 12:19:46 · answer #1 · answered by Jen G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I fed my son cheddar cheese so if the teeth didn't get brushed as well as they should at least they'd be protected a little. Then I'd play games with him while I did it. I ask him to show me his lion roar so he'll open really wide and then I ask to see his grrr teeth so I can do the fronts. That new rinse that turns plaque blue makes it way more fun to do a good job.
2006-12-04 12:25:58 · answer #2 · answered by Aloe-ish-us 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should give him some independence with brushing. My daughter doesn't like for me to brush her teeth but if I let her do it first then she allows me to go back over them. He has to have his teeth brushed. You have to be consistent. Make sure you have a routine twice a day and he will get used to the idea of brushing his teeth and will be more cooperative.
2006-12-04 12:28:18 · answer #3 · answered by Ndpndnt 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This may sound silly but it worked for us. I have the small cup left over from children's Tylenol. My son loves to fill it up and drink from it over and over at the bathroom sink BUT I save it for after we brush his teeth. You also might let him brush your teeth while you brush his.
Keep up the efforts, and make sure he eats foods like sliced apples & carrots that help clean tartar off teath.
2006-12-04 12:13:17 · answer #4 · answered by eli_star 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gerber has an "Infant Tooth and Gum Cleanser". It comes with a little finger brush that you put on your finger and you brush your babies teeth that way. My son loves it. Makes him laugh. You can buy it at Walmart for under $4.
http://www.gerber.com/faq?catid=33#215
2006-12-04 12:25:56 · answer #5 · answered by Koozie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋